Conference calling

Abstract

A method of conducting a conference call, comprising: identifying a user (2) of a first communication unit (12) speaking during the conference call; transmitting data related to the identified speaker (2) to other communication units (14, 16, 28) being used by other users (4, 6, 8) participating in the conference call; the communication units (14, 16, 18) receiving the data related to the identified speaker (2) and displaying speaker data based on the received data related to the identified speaker (2). The speaker (2) may be identified by comparing the speech being spoken by the user with a voice profile for that user. Also described is a corresponding communication system, a caller identification module (21), and adapted communication units (12, 14, 16, 18).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the implementation of conference calls in communication systems.[0002] Telecommunication systems are conventionally able to set up and conduct conference calls, i.e. calls in which users of more than two communication units, such as telephones, mobile telephones, computers, participate in a call.[0003] It is known to identify the caller at the beginning of a telephone call by displaying the caller's telephone number and then possibly displaying information about the caller. U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,916 describes a kind of videoconference, which displays pictures of all participants in addition to their voice. WO-0105136 enables personal data (credit-card number, social security number, etc) to be sent to the other party during a phone call. WO-0075801 sends customised advertisements along with conversation data. WO-0103406 allows a picture of the caller to be sent at the beginning of a call.[0004] However, these known forms of identification, developed fo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these known forms of identification, developed for simple one-to-one calls, do not alleviate a disadvantage that arises with conference calls, as follows.

A disadvantage with conventional arrangements for conference calls involving several speakers is that the conversation quickly becomes anonymous, since there are difficulties in identifying who is currently speaking.

This quickly becomes tedious.

Furthermore, when a speaker forgets to identify himself / herself, it becomes difficult to know from whom the last ideas emanated.

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